Pair tell of 'Falconio sighting'

The body of Mr Falconio has never been found

Two witnesses have told an Australian court they saw British tourist Peter Falconio alive more than a week after he is believed to have been killed.

The couple were giving evidence at the committal hearing of Bradley Murdoch, accused of shooting Mr Falconio on a remote highway near Alice Springs.

The pair insisted a man they served at a petrol station in Burke in July 2001 was the backpacker from West Yorkshire.

It is at least a day's drive from where Mr Falconio is thought to have died.

The body of Mr Falconio, 28, of Huddersfield, has not been found since he disappeared after he and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, were allegedly tricked into stopping their camper van on a remote highway on 14 July, 2001.

Robert Brown, who is now a teacher's assistant, told the court in Darwin that he had absolutely no doubt a man he served on 22 July was Mr Falconio.

The magistrate heard that he recognised the 28-year-old Briton from pictures in newspapers.

'Identical'

If it was not him, it must have been his twin, Mr Brown said.

His partner, Melissa Kendall, who now works as a clerk at the local court in Burke, was asked if the man who bought a drink and a chocolate bar was "identical" in appearance to Mr Falconio.

"Yes," she replied.

The magistrate was told that the man in question had a slight English accent and was travelling with a man and a woman.

Committal proceedings continue in Darwin to decide if Mr Murdoch should face trial.

He is also accused of abducting Ms Lees.